RODGERS ARRESTED

Digest Staff

07/19/2002

Linebacker Derrick Rodgers is facing criminal charges and a potential NFL suspension after being arrested after an altercation in South Beach with his wife and a 19-year old man.<P>According to a police report, Rodgers' wife and the man were sitting at a table when Rodgers approached the man and asked him if he knew who he was.

The man answered, "Yeah, you're Derrick Rodgers." When he started to stand, Rodgers allegedly hit him over the head with a metal chair. Rodgers then allegedly kicked his wife as the tried to pick up her purse and then punched her in the chest as he got off the ground.

Rodgers was charged with aggravated battery, simple battery and resisting arrest without violence. He spent a night in Miami-Dade County Jail.

Rodgers' wife, Kareff, said the incident was just "a big misunderstanding." Six weeks before the incident, Rodgers read his wife a poem as he was accepting the team's Leadership Award for the second straight season.

"I'm completely fine," Kareff Rodgers told television station WTVJ-TV. "He didn't touch me. He didn't do anything. It was jus a big misunderstanding. It was just a big miscommunication and he just got a little bit out of control."

If he is convicted on any of the criminal charges, Rodgers could be suspended by the NFL under the league's personal conduct policy.

"Both the Dolphins and National Football League understand the gravity of these allegations and will take appropriate action if such instances were proven to have occurred," Coach Dave Wannstedt said in a prepared statement. "However, we hope the charges against Derrick prove to be unfounded.

"Derrick has exhibited the highest character on the field and has been extremely active in charitable and community service projects here in South Florida. As a result, we will not rush to judgment and will wait for the completion of the judicial process before deciding on a course of action if needed."